Complaint Review: Eric - Miami Florida

 I searched craigslist in hopes to of finding a mini schnauzer to buy. I saw an ad and contacted about an 8 week old puppy schnauzer they were selling. I spoke to a Venezuelan lady that sounded to be between 45-65 years old. The lady told me she lived in Kendall area so, I set up a time to meet her so that I can see the puppy. The lady told me to meet her at a public place because she did not want to meet at her home due to her being jumped and robbed in the past. Since I wasn't planning on doing that to her and my boyfriend was coming with me, I empathized her and agreed to meet her on 157 avenue and 72nd street at a Walgreens. She called me while I waited for her and she advised that her husband would be meeting me and that he would be driving a Patriot Jeep.

When her husband arrived, he brought out a cute very small schnauzer. The man was about 5'10 and he mentioned he was Cuban and 66 years of age. While my boyfriend and I carried the puppy and tried to ask him questions in regards of the puppy, the man distracted us with irrelevant conversation about Cuba and Dominican Republic. It was awfully hot outside and the man just talked meanwhile, the puppy was hot and thirsty. We wanted to leave, but we fell in love with the puppy as much as he fell in love with us so, we decided to pay and take him home with us. I figured I would deal with the lady who was the person I initially spoke with, but she was difficult to get a hold of after the puppy was in our possession. Finally, after an hour of purchasing the puppy the lady sends me a picture of a veterinarian on Flagler and 55th avenue stating that the puppy was registered there.

The following day I notice that the puppy had not been eating and so I tried to help him eat by hand feeding him. Suddenly, the puppy threw up a large roundworm. I immediately took him to the vet where he was supposed to be registered and they have no records on the puppy. The vet sold me medication for the worms and I proceeded to care for the puppy at home until day three when. I notice the puppy deteriorating right before my eyes. My boyfriend and I rush him to the pet emergency on US1 where they test him for Parvo and find that he has a very strong positive for Parvo. The vet explained the severity of Parvo virus and how fatal it can be especially on my 1lb puppy who happens to be 4 weeks and not 8 weeks as the seller sold him.

The vet advised me of treatment and its cost as well as it not being guaranteed, but I could not allow this fatal virus to take on this puppy without a fight. He deserved a chance and I had faith and hope. My puppy "Bruno" spent 5 days fighting this virus. I spent 5 days visiting my Bruno twice a day, praying for him, hoping, crying, stressing and calling the hospital for updates every hour. We also tried calling the seller and she would not answer. The hospital bill kept rising everyday! His third day in the hospital we called the seller again at 9pm and surprisingly she answered. My boyfriend told her everything that's been going on and notified her of the actions we had taken such as contacting animal control and craigslist, but she denied lying and selling us a sick puppy and hung up on him.

The following day she sends me a nasty text message. Bruno passed away Monday, Sept. 5th at 9pm. The seller disconnected her phone and we now can't find her. We had done a reverse phone number check and the results stated that the number was a metro pcs phone and it was registered to Josefina Fernandez. I do not know how accurate those websites are, but I am on the search for these individuals. I am now over $3k in debt from hospital bills and I am devastated after losing Bruno. I'll pay the bills, but the distraught that this event has brought to me is more than painful. If this story sounds familiar, please contact me and let's come together to catch these animal killers from continuing to do this to others. I know they do this for a living because I went to a pet store to look at puppies just to help me with my grieve and I told the owner of the store my experience and she said she had heard this same story four to five times on different occasions. She was told that the mans name is either Eric or Antonio. I will not rest until I come across these people so, please be on the look out.